Chico man identified as burned body, likely dumped in orchard

WILLOWS &GT;&GT; A 21-year-old Chico man has been identified as the man whose burned body was found on May 24 in a walnut orchard south of Hamilton City, according to the Glenn County Sheriff's Office.

The scorched remains of Marat Magdeev, who was born in Kaliningrad, Russia, were discovered on the Billiou Ranch by a worker, according to the Sheriff's Office. Magdeev is not believed to have ties to Glenn County.

Detectives had been investigating the case as a homicide and believed flammable liquid was poured over the body and ignited in an effort to destroy evidence, according to previous statements from the Sheriff's Office.

Authorities have not determined a cause of death and are awaiting the results of a toxicology report.

According to Action News, the Glenn County Sheriff's Office confirmed Magdeev had suffered a gunshot wound to his upper body, but investigators would not confirm the allegations when asked by this newspaper.

Magdeev was positively identified after the Sheriff's Office received fingerprint results from the California Department of Justice and from the work of forensic odontologist William L. Farrell, according to the press release.

A detective in New York alerted a next of kin who resides in Brooklyn on Tuesday evening, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Glenn County detectives believe Magdeev was killed at a different location and his body was dumped in Hamilton City, according to a statement from Sheriff Larry Jones. A motive for the alleged killing has not been established.

Authorities in Glenn County are working with other law enforcement agencies, including the Chico Police Department.

The Glenn County Sheriff's stated in the press released that it would not comment further on the on-going investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact Detective Greg Felton at 934-6720 or 934-6431. People may remain anonymous.